Kochi Tuskers Kerala
With their infighting at its end, contractual issues resolved, home ground moved and name changed, the team formerly known as the Indi Commandos Kerala are relatively redtape-free and ready to make their IPL debut.
Their squad is as cosmopolitan as their outfit – orange and purple – and serves somewhat as a home away from home for a plethora of Australians – both aged and green. And they even sport the odd Englishman. While the fledgling franchise was momentarily thrown off kilter by their fleeting management, the players will be looking to set the record straight on the field.
Team Facts
| Coach: |  Geoff Lawson |
|---|---|
| Captain: |  Mahela Jayawardene |
| Colours: | Orange and Purple |
| Founded: | April, 2010 |
| Home ground: | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi |
| Capacity: | 60,000-85,000 |
| Owner: | Kochi Cricket Pvt Ltd |
| Website: | Kochi Tuskers Kerala |
» TEAM PROFILE
- Balachandra Akhil
- Brad Hodge
- Brendon McCullum
- Chandan Madan
- Deepak Chougule
- Gnaneswara Rao
- John Hastings
- Kedar Jadhav
- Mahela Jayawardene
- Michael Klinger
- Muttiah Muralitharan
- Owais Shah
- Parthiv Patel
- Prasanth Padmanabhan
- Raiphi Gomez
- Ramesh Powar
- Ravindra Jadeja
- RP Singh
- Sreesanth
- Steve O’Keefe
- Steven Smith
- Sushant Marathe
- Tanmay Srivastava
- Thisara Perera
- Vinay Kumar
» STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
Kochi have a sound tactician in coach Geoff Lawson, whose 15-month stint with Pakistan three years ago would have hardened him to the rigours of running a politically-influenced team, which the Tuskers seem to be. Big gun signings in Brendon McCullum and Muttiah Muralitharan bolster the batting and bowling ranks and Brad Hodge enters the ranks as arguably the best domestic Twenty20 cricketer in history. A lack of IPL history leaves the rookie squad with a slate untainted by previous poor performances or the expectation of repeat success.
Weaknesses
While Hodge’s part-time turners will come in handy and Ravindra Jadeja is able to do his bit, Muralitharan, injury-prone at that, lacks a standout partner in spin. Steven Smith seems the most likely bet, but even he isn’t renowned as a specialist spinner these days. They only brag one World Cup winner of India’s 15 – Shantha Sreesanth – which places a lot of pressure to perform on the shoulders of the oft-temperamental seamer.
» FIXTURES
Home Matches
| Apr 09, 2011 Saturday | Royal Challengers | Royal Challengers Bangalore won by 6 wickets |
| Apr 18, 2011 Monday | Chennai Super Kings | |
| Apr 27, 2011 Wednesday | Deccan Chargers | |
| Apr 30, 2011 Saturday | Delhi Daredevils | |
| May 05, 2011 Thursday | Kolkata Knight Riders | |
| May 13, 2011 Friday | Punjab Kings (Indore) | |
| May 15, 2011 Sunday | Rajasthan Royals (Indore) |
Away Matches
| Apr 13, 2011 Wednesday | Pune Warriors (Dr DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai) | Pune Warriors won by 4 wickets |
| Apr 15, 2011 Friday | Mumbai Indians (Mumbai) | |
| Apr 20, 2011 Wednesday | Kolkata Knight Riders (Kolkata) | |
| Apr 24, 2011 Sunday | Rajasthan Royals (Jaipur) | |
| May 02, 2011 Monday | Delhi Daredevils (Delhi) | |
| May 08, 2011 Sunday | Royal Challengers (Bangalore) | |
| May 18, 2011 Wednesday | Chennai Super Kings (Chennai) |
